"He did have some lacerations. Nothing life-threatening," he said. "We bandaged him up and he drove himself to the hospital (Bert Fish Medical Center.)"

The surfer's name was not available Sunday, Petersohn said.

According to the University of Florida's 2007 International Shark Attack File, Volusia County was the shark bite capital of the world last year for at least the sixth year running, with 17 reported attacks.

In a recent interview Petersohn said he thought the county's attacks would drop to levels equal other parts of coast Central Florida if the area south of the Ponce de Leon Inlet's south jetty in New Smyrna Beach wasn't a factor. But in that zone all the factors needed for bites -- sharks, people, bait, and murky water -- combine into a perfect storm, he said.